Markup in subdistrict's land purchased

TANGERANG: Some 150 residents of Margasari subdistrict, Karawaci district of Tangerang staged a rally at the municipal council office on Monday to demand an investigation be conducted over an alleged markup in the purchase of land that will be used for the subdistrict's new office.

"Several district and subdistrict officials had marked up the price of the plot," said Partono, who led the protesting residents.

He said that the owner of the 400 square-meter plot, Suhanda, said he had sold the plot to subdistrict and district officials at Rp 200 million, while the municipal administration officials had earlier disbursed Rp 350 million as requested by the district officials to buy the plot.

"We are sure that the rest of the money has gone into the pockets of several subdistrict and district officials," he said.

The residents demanded that the Tangerang City Council's Commission A on public affairs soon form an investigating team to probe the scandal.

Meanwhile, chairman of the commission, Fachrudin responded emotionally and almost engaged in a fight with chairman of the Tangerang Government Watch Tony Wismantoro whom he accused of having instigated the rally.

Luckily, residents managed to calm Tony, who nearly fell over after being shoved by Fachrudin.--JP